General Policies and Procedures
Matthias K. Gobbert
Study suggestion
While I realize that you have only a limited amount of time available
for this class, the following strategy has proven very successful in
studying for math classes, and I strongly advise its use:
Prepare for the lecture by reading the
scheduled section(s) in the textbook; even if you do not understand
everything, you will have an overview of what to expect in class.
At this point, you should review any section, which might be needed
as background for the new material. Then attend the lecture and take
your own notes. Afterwards, you should review the textbook and your notes
as much as necessary to understand the material; test yourself by
working out the examples in the text! At this point, you are
ready to do the homework problems for this section as a final test
of your understanding.
You should realize that this approach actually saves time over the
whole semester, since it is easier to do homework problems
right after studying the material, and thus reinforcing the lecture.
Also, by starting all homework problems as early as possible, you have
the opportunity to get additional help before the due date.
Discussion sessions (if applicable)
The discussion sessions form an integral part of the learning experience
of this course. There, you will have the opportunity to work problems
under the guidance of the teaching assistant. You are encouraged
to work in groups on these problems, since it is vital that you learn
to communicate mathematical ideas; also, this offers the opportunity
of interacting with other people in general, a valuable part of the
college experience. Finally, the graded homework will be returned in the
discussion sessions.
Homework
The purpose of homework is to reinforce concepts introduced in class.
Mathematics can only be learned by applying these concepts yourself.
Only as a secondary purpose is the homework designed to help your
self-evaluation and to prepare you for the tests!
Please note that the homework is due in class. I will accept late
homework at my office only in exceptional situations. Do not leave
homework at my office, if I am not present, as it can get lost.
Also note that the department does not have sufficient resources to
accept homework, so do not try to turn in homework to the department
secretary, please.
Tests
See the syllabus for the date(s) of the tests.
There will be one final exam of two (2) hours.
Unless otherwise announced, the tests will cover the sections in the
text, whose contents have been covered by homework that has been already
returned prior to the test. In other words, tests generally
cover material up to about one-and-a-half week before; see the syllabus.
The final exam is comprehensive and will cover all material covered in
the course.
According to university policy, attempts at cheating are considered a
serious offense against the student honor code and will be looked upon
seriously. The right is reserved to check a picture identification
during any of the exams.
Grading
While the grading scale will be adjusted later to some degree to reflect
the level of difficulty of the exams, the following may
serve as a guideline based on prior experience:
Score above Letter grade
| 90% A
| 80% B
| 65% C
| 50% D
| otherwise F
|
Both the weight distribution and the grading scale are subject to
change by announcement in class. In particular, if it is found that
additional reinforcement of material is needed, quizzes might be
used both in class and in the discussion sessions (if applicable).
Copyright © 1998 by Matthias K. Gobbert. All Rights Reserved.
This page version 1.1, August 1998.